Lawmakers call for Clapper's ouster

Jan. 27, 2014 - 06:00AM
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DNI James Clapper undermines trust and should be fired, says a mostly-Republican group of lawmakers. (Karen Bleier / AFP via Getty Images)

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A group of lawmakers are demanding President Obama fire the James Clapper, the director of national intelligence, and reform the NSA collection of data. The group -- five Republicans and one Democrat -- made their case in a Jan. 27 letter.

The NSA and the administration have come under fire after documents leaked by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden detailed large-scale collection of internet data.

“We must ensure that loopholes to unwarranted and wholly unjustified collection of data are closed and that our intelligence community has consistent standards to adhere to under the rule of law,” the lawmakers wrote.

The lawmakers said in the letter the administration should restore trust in the government by dismissing Clapper.

“The continued role of James Clapper as Director of National Intelligence is incompatible with the goal of restoring trust in our security programs and ensuring the highest level of transparency,” the lawmakers said.